Oriire Kidnap, Killings: DSS to Re-Arraign Five Alleged Ansaru Terrorists

By Vivian Okejeme

The Department of State Services (DSS) will on Thursday, September 17, re-arraign five men accused of involvement in the May 15 kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The suspects, who are to be arraigned on an amended six-count charge, are also accused of the subsequent killing of two of the victims.

Their proposed arraignment on Wednesday, September 16, was stalled after the accused persons insisted on being represented by lawyers of their choice.

The accused persons, identified as alleged members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (ANSARU) terrorist group, are Mahmud Muhammad (aka Abu Bara’a, Abbas Mukhtar); Abubakar Abbas (aka Isah Adam, Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri); Abdulrazak Umar (aka Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid); Yunusa Musa (aka Abu Yunusa Bin Musa); and Shamsu Adamu Sani (aka Abu Itisar).

When the case was called on Wednesday, a Deputy Director with the Legal Aid Council, Mr Akilaluyel Shettima, announced his appearance for the five defendants.

However, the first defendant, Mahmud Muhammad, objected on behalf of the others.

Muhammad told Justice Salim Ibrahim that they had previously been represented by Bala Dakum and wanted him to continue as their lawyer.

Responding, counsel to the DSS and Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, agreed that the right to choose a lawyer is a constitutional matter that must be respected.

He maintained that the DSS is a law-abiding institution and is not interested in persecuting the accused persons, but only in ensuring that justice is served.

Consequently, Justice Ibrahim adjourned the case until Thursday for the fresh arraignment.

The judge ordered the accused persons to contact their lawyer and ensure his presence in court. He also directed the DSS to allow them access to their lawyer to enable them to prepare their defence as required by law.